Imagine discussing Madison Bumgarner”s afternoon pitching performance with him later the same evening as you sit around your kitchen table? Or calling Buster Posey down for breakfast? Or watching a little TV with Brandon Belt?

Well, some area residents had the opportunity to do just that and more back when the current San Francisco Giants greats were just getting their start in professional baseball.

The three superstars–and many others–lived with host families in the Santa Clara Valley when playing for the San Jose Giants in the California League.

And right now, San Jose director of player personnel Linda Pereira is making her annual pitch to area residents, seeking out host families to take in a player for the spring and summer months.

“It”s just a great experience,” Pereira has said of the 28-year-old host family program. “And when the players get to the big leagues, they”re just right up the street [at AT&T Park in San Francisco].”

“Host families play a unique part in the development of these homegrown,” she said. “Every year I”m approached by former players who continue to talk about the relationships and time well spent with their host families here in San Jose. Families opening up their homes to these young athletes create an immediate bond that continues throughout their careers while they pursue their dreams of one day playing in San Francisco.”

In addition to Bumgarner, Posey and Belt, current Giants who have lived with host families while playing in San Jose include Matt Cain, Brandon Crawford, Matt Duffy, Joe Panik, Sergio Romo, Hunter Strickland and Andrew Susac, among others.

In all, more than 150 former San Jose Giants have gone on to play in the Major Leagues, and many of them made the jump after living with a family in the San Jose area for a season.

Pereira places players with families, and it”s a responsibility that she doesn”t take lightly.

“I try to match the right players with the right families, and I”m proud of my record,” she said. “It”s incredible … the players become part of the families, and the families come to the games and live and die with their players.”

The season runs from April 7 through September. Host families provide a player with a room, and the Giants provide families with season tickets and parking passes for all of the club”s games at San Jose Municipal Stadium. The team also hosts picnics for the families and other events.

Pereira and the Giants are currently reaching out to local families to take a player in for the 2016 season. Who knows, it could just be a future Madison Bumgarner or Buster Posey sitting at your kitchen table this summer.

For more information on the host family program, call Pereira at 408.380.4519 or visit sjgiants.com.